Fleet Body and Paint Repair
Dents? Dings? Scrapes? Scratches? Full Blown Automotive Center is your one stop, full service shop for your auto body needs. We are Hertz, Enterprise, and CarFax certified, and we specialize in D.O.T. certification and inspections. If your fleet's vehicles are in need of body or paint repairs look no further than Central Florida's number one shop for fleet service.
Modern cars and trucks are a marvel of design and engineering. A vehicle's body is a combination of several materials such as: steel, aluminum, titanium, plastic, fiberglass, and/or carbon fiber. Different methods, tools, and materials are needed to make repairs depending on the material. The body itself is usually steel. Fenders, hoods, and trunk lids may be made of steel or aluminum. Bumper covers, side skirts, and fender flares are usually made of plastic or fiberglass. Luxury or high performance vehicles often use more expensive materials like carbon fiber, carbon kevlar, and titanium in the construction of their body parts.
Estimating repairs to body damage is dependent on the scope/type of damage, and to which body part(s) are damaged. Plastic, fiberglass, and carbon fiber resist damage from minor dents and dings but are more easily damaged from scraping or scratching. Steel, aluminum, and titanium will dent and deform more easily, but resist damage from scratches. Plastic and fiber parts are cheap and easily replaced when damaged while metallic parts generally require the skills of a body technician to repair, as replacement is usually not a possibility. Minor dents and dings require the use of a dent puller, a specialized tool for removing dents. Large dents or impact damage may require the use of come-along pulling cables to pull large dents, or the use of blocks, hammers, and prybars to reshape the metal. While plastic, fiberglass, and carbon fiber parts can be repaired, it is more likely to be replaced if the damage is extensive.
Nearly any body damage, even when repaired, will require the paint to be repaired as well. In most cases the paint can be repaired only on the damaged area or specific body panels. Some damaged areas may require additional reshaping with body putty and sanding to match the original vehicle contours prior to paint. Once the damaged parts are repaired or replaced, the parts or area will be sanded, cleaned, and primed. A skilled body technician will mix the paint to match the original color and sheen of the original paint and blend the new paint repair into the existing paint so as to completely hide any signs of damage. In order to ensure proper application of the paint, the vehicle needs to be in a clean, dry environment. During the paint repair process, the body technician will apply multiple coats of primer, several coats of paint, and at least a couple coats of clear coating or sealant. Improper damage repairs, improper preparation of the panel/area, or dirt and moisture can cause lasting damage to the new paint. Once all damaged body panels and parts have been repaired, replaced, and painted. The vehicle should be cleaned, waxed, and buffed to ensure uniformity with the undamaged body of the car.
Fleet vehicles' bodies suffer minor body damage regularly as work vehicles. While some fleets may incur extensive damages over time, i.e. construction vehicles, contractors, landscapers, etc., their business might not require regular body work. On the other hand, D.O.T. regulated fleet vehicles or businesses that need to present a clean image may need body and paint repair for even tiny dents and dings. Full Blown Automotive Center specializes in D.O.T. fleet services and can ensure that those fleet vehicles receive a comprehensive body inspection at each service to ensure compliance with state and federal guidelines.
Whether your fleet van has been in a fender bender or a rogue shopping cart has dented the side of your new truck, Full Blown Automotive Center is here to help. Our highly skilled body and paint repair technicians have the tools, training, and materials to get your vehicle looking like new again. If your fleet's vehicles have suffered minor body or collision damage; call, click, or stop by for an estimate today and ask how Full Blown Automotive Center can help you manage your fleet services.